Tech-addicted mom's confession

Chicago Parent staff

I have to be connected somehow, in some way, to the outside
world. E-mail. Text. Facebook. Twitter. When I started my job at
Chicago Parent in January 2005 as an area sales manager, I
purchased my first BlackBerry. It was a blessing and a curse. A
blessing because I could sit anywhere and get my e-mails. A curse
because I could sit anywhere and get my e-mails. Before long,
texting came into my world, as did Facebook.

I felt the need to be reachable when I was selling advertising.
Someone always needed me and it was important for me to be able to
connect instantly with potential clients. But, right now, I am not
selling advertising. I am home with my kids. And, truthfully,
there's really not that much sense of urgency in needing to check
in.

But I am addicted.

I AM trying to be better. I've started leaving my phone in the
car when I go to the store. When I exercise, the phone goes in the
locker for an hour. When I am at either of my kids' schools, the
phone is turned off. And, at playgroup last week, the phone stayed
in my purse -- well, for the first hour anyway. Then, I got a
little antsy.

Today I had lunch with my former colleagues. It was great. I was
engaged in five different conversations, but I still "needed" to
check my phone, making sure I wasn't needed, making sure I wasn't
missing anything. My colleagues mentioned it. In their minds, my
phone obsession was impolite, which I can understand. But, in my
mind, it would just by my luck if I didn't check the phone that
there would be an emergency -- or that I would be needed. I am an
addict. Really.

It's also bad because I am easily found. Sometimes that's a good
thing -- and sometimes, I just need some space from it all. I
literally feel like my head is going to explode. But, I guess one
would say that it's my fault. I've let myself become "this way."
Or, am I just like everyone else?

So, now what?

Do I pretend that I can't get on Facebook in the middle of the
day if I want while waiting at my daughter's dance class? Avoid
texting the people I text daily? Do I make more rules? Or do I just
say it is what it is, I am who I am?